Fantastiska Vinotek

Hikes with Martina Reiss are a true experience. You may find yourself out in the famous "Würzberger Stein" vineyard, with a fantastic panoramic view of Würzburg, the second largest city in Franconia. Martina Reiss knows seemingly every story or anecdote possible about the "Main Metropolis." 

Her entertaining tours provide deep insights into its multifaceted history and give guests a taste of the fascination for Lower Franconia's wines — reinforced by samples of delicious pours from her own estate.

The Reiss family has been growing wine here since at least the 19th century, but the farm made the switch to serious winemaking in 1960. Beyond her work as a wine lecturer and tour guide, Martina Reiss runs the estate with her husband Christian, who is responsible for oenology and vinification. The pair took over the operation from his father Bruno in 2003. A 230-square-meter vinothek with 18 seats is staffed by her parents, Maximilian and Hannah-Sophia, who offer grand wines from small casks, noble sweet wines and, as a real treat, a Silvaner matured in Cretan clay amphora.

The architecture has a bright, modern and transparent feel; when regarding the glass facade from outside, one sees the Würzburger Pfaffenberg mirrored in it. Yet it is shell limestone that shapes the interior of the vinothek, reflecting its status as the dominant stone in the vineyards around Würzburg. There are two bright, open sales spaces on the ground floor, outfitted with lounges and high tables and a bright photo of a Silvaner grape behind the counter.

The overall effect is once of elegance, authenticity and minimalism — a description that also fits the wines from the estate's 18 hectares. The awards have been plentiful, most recently the 2015 Würzburger Pfaffenberg Traminer Auslese that claimed gold at "Les Grands Concours du Monde Strasbourg 2016," and the "Scheurebe Kabinett" variant that earned 92 points at the "Best of Scheurebe" contest. The finally tally from the "Austrian Wine Challenge Vienna," the world's largest tasting competition, included a further six golds and five silvers. Gault Millau, which awarded the estate its third grape in 2010 and moved it to "very good" status, has repeatedly expressed its enthusiasm, noting annually: "Third grape easily retained..."

If the stomach rumbles, visitors have choices ranging from simple Franconian snack plates to a fine multi-course menu from Martina and Christian Reiss. The pair also recently opened up their 'vino'-library, an extensive collection of literature about wine, including many timeworn editions.

Browse old books, settle in for a read, try some wine and go hiking — a harmonious overall package at Weingut Reiss in the north of Würzburg. And one that maintains the bonds between body and spirit.